'This isn’t good enough', just fourteen refurbishment grants in Carlow since 2022

Sinn Féin representative for Carlow, Jim Deane calls on the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, to urgently review the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as just fourteen refurbishment grants have been drawn down in Carlow since the scheme opened in April 2022.

Speaking on the matter, Jim commented, “These new figures show that the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme is deeply flawed. In the eighteen months since the scheme opened just fourteen refurbishment grants have been drawn down in Carlow.

“This isn’t good enough. People in Carlow affected by the housing crisis need to see an ambitious and workable plan that will deliver homes locally.

“The grant is paid in arrears, meaning that applicants have to front-up the money and claim the grant after the works have been completed and paid for. In many cases, applicants in Carlow do not have this cash up front and this is a barrier to accessing the funding.

“The scheme is also chronically underfunded at just €30 million for 2023, and a similar amount for 2024, resulting in an annual target of just over two-hundred homes to be brought back into use each year.

“People in Carlow deserve better. It’s time for change.”